Audit Senior / Assistant Manager

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

25+ days annual leave

Enhanced pension contributions

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking an Audit Senior or Assistant Manager in Manchester. The role focuses on not-for-profit and SME audit, with ownership of engagements from planning through completion and coaching junior staff. A strong accounting qualification and UK practice experience are essential.

You will work in a not-for-profit/SME-dominated portfolio with a clear path to Audit Manager, a hybrid office model in Manchester, and a structured salary progression with benefits.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA qualified or near finalist with 3–5+ years UK external audit experience.
• Proven track record leading audits for not-for-profit organisations and SMEs.
• Strong knowledge of UK GAAP and UK audit standards; risk identification and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of high-quality audit engagements across not-for-profit and SME portfolios.
• Act as main point of contact for business leaders from planning to completion.
• Mentor junior team members and support Partners with workflow planning.

Skills

Audit leadership

Not-for-profit audits

SME audits

Client relationship management

Planning and execution

Education

ACA/ACCA qualification

Not-for-profit audit experience

Job description

Audit Senior / Assistant Manager

Location: Manchester

Salary: £38,000 – £55,000 + Benefits

Are you an ambitious Audit Senior or Assistant Manager looking for a role where your expertise in not-for-profit and SME audit is genuinely valued? Our client is a highly respected, leading regional accountancy practice with a strong North West presence. Combining technical excellence with a people-first culture, they offer an exceptional platform to build a long-term audit career, providing exposure to high-profile clients and a transparent route to Audit Manager.

The Opportunity

In this key role, you will take ownership of high-quality audit and assurance engagements across a diverse portfolio, with a tailored focus on the not-for-profit sector and growing SMEs. You will step into a position of influence—acting as a main point of contact for business leaders, managing assignments from planning through to completion, and mentoring junior team members within a collaborative, supportive framework.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Experience: ACA/ACCA qualified (or near finalist) with 3–5+ years of UK accountancy practice experience in external audit.

• Sector Expertise: Proven track record in leading audit engagements for not-for-profit organisations (charities, education, housing) alongside small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

• Technical Proficiency: Deep working knowledge of UK GAAP and UK audit standards, with the ability to identify risk and ensure full technical compliance.

• Leadership & Delivery: Strong supervisory skills to direct on-site teams, review work, and support Partners with workflow planning and client relationships.

Package & Benefits

• Base Salary: £38,000 – £55,000 dependent on experience, with structured salary progression.

• Flexibility & Location: Manchester city centre office with an established hybrid working model and flexible hours.

• Time Off & Retirement: 25+ days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, alongside enhanced pension contributions.

• Career Growth: Transparent career mapping directly to Audit Manager, funded ongoing CPD, and regular social events.